My head… fuck…

That was John's first conscious thought. Until he felt several blaring pains in his chest. Trying to open his eyes only to find something wrapped around his head. Quite disliking the position of unknowing, he forced himself into a sitting position, his hands starting upwards to pull off whatever blinded him. Suddenly, two tender, five fingered hands intercepted his own, gently holding his wrists as they eased his hands back down. The soft voice of an Asari Doctor suddenly reassured him as she pushed him back onto the bed he lay on.

"It's okay. I've got you. You're safe."

The voice made him pause for a second. Feeling her hands running along the edges of the bandages wrapped around his chest. John reached up to grab one of her hands, stopping her methodical checking of his wounds so he could quietly squeeze her hand before speaking.

"Mino?"

"Of course. Who else will patch you up?"

John paused for a moment, having great difficulty remembering where he'd been prior to this. Shaking his head slowly as if he was trying to knock the memories off a high shelf in his head. Mino spoke up as she ran her thumb up and down the back of John's hand. "You got in a fight."

"Usually I win those."

"You really don't remember?" The tone of concern that suddenly became apparent in the Asari's voice was all too familiar to John nowadays. The human slowly shook his head as he did his best to recollect the occurrence.

"Well, you did win. His friend didn't take too kindly to it though. Busted a bottle on the side of your head when you were leaving the bar. You nearly got him too, till he pulled a gun." Mino paused momentarily. Looking at John's hand in hers. "You almost… He would've killed you John. He almost did!" Mino, with all her years, never truly managed to master her emotions in every moment. She was certainly upset, it was evident in her voice, but the worst part was the pain that she was desperately trying to hide.

As if she knew the question was coming, she stiffened her upper lip to tell him what happened. "You got shot three times. Twice in the torso and once in the arm. And you got cut a few times because the first guy pulled a knife…"

"Mino, I-"

"John, I need you to promise me something."

John paused momentarily, quite unused to Mino cutting him off as she was quite polite. Finally speaking up as he realized she was waiting for a response. "Okay…"

John felt her hands take each side of his face gently in her grasp. Suddenly aware of just how close Mino had gotten, feeling her hot breath on his lips.

"Wake up."

John's eyes pulled open to see Tali staring directly into his. The Quarian holding his face up with her hands. Tali exclaimed upon the realization he'd awaken, pulling him suddenly into a tight hug. She said multiple things, but his ears couldn't make out a single word she said. John blinked several times realizing he was without his armor. Now in the black shorts and gray t-shirt that he always wore underneath his armor.

Looking around to try and get a sense of where he was, a sudden, cold chill ran down his spine at the realization of where they were. They were in a tight cage, he had been sitting upright leaning into the corner of the cage. The ceiling, floor, walls, of the room they were held in was all reinforced metal, various pipes lined the walls and ceilings, each one occasionally hissing and creaking. As his eyes turned to the room around them, he got the distinct feeling they were underground.

It was the dirt and grime covering near every surface that tipped him off to the idea. Ships were often kept in at least a semi-clean condition to help prevent outbreaks of any viruses, ships were also much easier to clean compared to holding areas like the one they sat in.

Tali pulled back out of the hug. Starting to talk in a frantic tone, though he understood nothing she attempted to get across. After a moment or two of John watching Tali with great confusion in his eyes, she realized Shepard couldn't understand her. Slowly bringing herself to a halt in the middle of her sentence. Now watching John with almost expectant eyes. John maintained eye contact for several seconds, slowly giving a nod to her. Tali wasn't certain what he was trying to signal with the gesture, though she could see in his eyes that he expected some sort of response. Slowly, and a bit unsure of herself, she returned the short nod.

With this, Shepard stood up and turned his gaze onto the others, he counted ten cages in the line he and Tali sat in, another ten cages lining the other side of the slim room. A walkway down the middle keeping distance between the two rows of cages. If a cage was occupied, two were inside, as if to make sure no one had any room. There were two doors leading to the room, one on either end of the rows. As far as he could see, neither had any obvious controls to work from the inside of the room.

The realization came to him as he looked about that the majority population were biotics, well, Asari, but he did see several humans dotted amongst the cages that had people in them. Bringing a serious question to his attention now.

Why don't these biotics rip their way out?

While looking around, he found many to return silent looks. Almost seeing the questions in their eyes when they looked at Tali next to him. Suddenly, a voice that John hadn't heard in ages spoke up from just across the way.

"John…?" A rather ragged looking human, about the same age as Shepard, pushed himself up into a sitting position as he saw the Human across the way. Reaching up to brush the long, dirty and disheveled red hair out of his eyes to get a better look at the man standing across the way. "Johnny?" The man repeated once more as he pushed himself up, trying not to disturb the Asari curled onto the floor next to him. Sleeping as soundly as one could hope to in a place like this.

John stood silent for a moment, stepping to the cage door to get a better look at the man. His eyes widening as the man stuck two finger guns out and clicked his tongue at him. "O'Connell?"

"Oh, come on, I thought we were on a first name basis." The mild attempt to joke while they were in the pits was somewhat appreciated by John, who smirked slightly at the man across from him. Grabbing onto the bars of his door so he could lean on them as they spoke.

"Why the hell haven't you ripped the door off?"

The Irishman across from him knocked a knuckle against the metal holding them in. Shaking his head back and forth quite simply. Slipping his skinny arms through the bars to prop himself up. "Can't. The bastards here spike our gruel and what water we get with something mighty foul. It messes with your whole system! Leaving you as useless as a Krogans rubber." The man was whispering as loud as he could, not wanting to disturb any who managed to find solace in sleep.

The hand suddenly wrapping around John's forearm surprised John. Turning to face Tali, the Quarian was looking around the area they were currently held in, seemingly holding onto John for an added feeling of security.

"So, you and Maki-Boy come to bust this place like you've done to the others?"

John wasn't paying attention to the question, his gaze still resting on Tali for the moment. Trying to figure out what she was thinking just from the look in her eyes. Reaching over, John gently patted the hand on his forearm. Tali's head snapping forward at the sudden contact, she had obviously been lost in thought, now looking between the two humans that had been talking. Clearly wanting to know what was being said, but being quite lost on how to make heads or tails from anything.

Shepard pointed across the gap between the cages, his finger aimed at the human across from them. Keeping eye contact with Tali as he did.

"Sean."

It was as simple an introduction as one could get, largely because he knew she wouldn't be able to understand anything else. Tali, after John watched her with a few seconds of patience, repeated the name to him so he knew she understood. "Sean." Now turning her attention to the human across the way, the man raised his right hand to give a short wave.

This prompted a short bow of her head almost instinctively. Once she raised her head, she'd bring her free hand up, tapping lightly on her collarbone to indicate to herself. "Tali."

The disheveled man gave a short nod, saying a few words she couldn't understand to her before turning his attention to John. Tali's eyes watching Seans lips move, noticing his right hand gesture between both Tali and John. She didn't know what Sean said, but she did notice John's sudden defensive nature. Looking up to see John was blushing quite a lot. Her head tilted slightly to the right as she watched him. Shepard noticed the fact that he was under Tali's seemingly calm gaze.

Is she calm, or in shock?

The thought stuck in his mind for a moment. It was quickly replaced by the need to ensure her freedom from this place. Looking over to Sean now while reaching up to rub the back of his sore head. "Who brought us in?"

"Some Batarian shite, asked him for room service an hour ago and still! Nothing!"

"See any new Turians passing through?"

"If only, easier to bait those fellas into a swing. Mostly Batarians down here as far as I've seen. I heard that there was a Krogan, never seen him myself though. Why? Looking for someone's autograph?"

Shepard sighed quietly, closing his eyes and tilting his head back slightly. "Why, of all the places I could have ended up, was it across from you?" It was a joking statement, John was quite relieved to see a friendly face. Although, he might have preferred someone who would've taken the matter at hand seriously.

Sean smirked slightly at the question, his disposition seemingly untouched by the dreary place they were stuck in. "Ah, it was destined, Johnny."

"We've got to go after them!"

Vaay spoke out in a rather defiant tone to the Lieutenant that sat in the Mako's driver's seat. The human quietly tapped away at one of the screens to communicate with the Normandy. Simply shaking his head at the Asari's demand.

"Why not?"

"We can't, we don't know what we're even dealing with here. We also don't have the manpower for a forest wide search." Kaidan was doing his best to explain the situation to her, but found that her demeanor wouldn't budge.

"It's two Turians, all we have to do is track them. The longer we wait, the further they get!"

Again, Kaidan shook his head at the idea. Looking out of the open hatch to the Asari standing outside. "For some reason, I doubt they just kidnapped those two on a whim when we arrived here. We can't charge in and leave the Mako without a guard, it's our only way to get back to the Normandy. Without it, we can't get back to the ship or get others down here."

"So we're just gonna sit and wait while they get taken away? What if there's a ship here and they get taken off the planet?"

Kaidan sighed quietly, not enjoying the need to explain all the factors at play. "The Normandy is scanning the planet for any eezo signatures large enough to be a ship. They won't get off the planet without us knowing. Now, please, give me a few minutes so I can get things organized with the Normandy."

Vaay let a notably impatient sigh out at the realization the Lieutenant wasn't going down into the forest soon. Starting over towards the Batarian who stood near the stairs. Iromak quietly waited for any noise of someone climbing up to them. Vaay came to a stop next to him, looking up to the heavily armored Batarian. As she was bracing herself to speak with him, her throat went dry as he turned to face her. She couldn't see his face under the helmet, but knew full well she was under the full force of his gaze. Finding an answer being presented to her before she even got her question out.

"It's not a good idea. Trust me."

"Wha- I thought you and him were… friends or something? Don't you want to go after him?"

Iromak sighed quietly, turning his attention to the top of the stairs. Keeping his eyes and ears open for any movement. "Yes, I do, but we may walk face first into a trap. Then we'll be in no position to help anyone. You need to take a longer view on this."

"They just got here! There can't be that much of a trap waiting for us."

Iromak was silent for several seconds, Vaay almost thinking he was going to ignore her before he finally spoke again. "The water may appear slow, and shallow on the surface; yet the current runs strong, and deep below."

Iromak stared out at the sea of leaves for several long seconds. Turning to Vaay again, his left arm was crossed over his rifle, his right hand holding the grip. "What did you tell John?"

"W-What?" She was surprised to be having this conversation once again, but with a different person.

"John went from suspicious of you to downright protective. Right after you brought the Varren aboard as well, as much as he likes them, the Varren alone didn't change his mind."

Iromaks comment got her head to pull up slightly, her curious eyes watching his helmet rather intently through her own visor. "He likes Varren?"

"Don't change the subject, what did you tell him?"

Helyt was now silent, looking around as if expecting someone to be waiting to eavesdrop on them. Iromak waited patiently as she decided whether or not to tell him. Letting a somewhat defeated sigh escape her lips before speaking up. "I… I've seen you before, you and Miss Zorah."

"Where at?"

Vaay turned her attention downwards as she continued, seeming very sheepish at the questions. "Out in front of a hospital. I wouldn't have noticed you, but you… uh…"

"Batarians are a rare sight on the Presidium, Quarians too."

Vaay nodded in agreement, finding herself somewhat relieved that he didn't seem upset. Though it was difficult for her to actually be certain with his naturally rough and gritty voice. "It was just Vitus and Vitesia back then though, Cavius arrived later on."

"But why did they go to the Presidium? Why go to that hospital?"

Vaay brought her gaze up as she shook her head, adding a shrug onto it to make it clear she had nothing. "They kept me out of the loop most of the time."

"And why were you even with them?"

Vaay's hesitation was clear, even with her helmet covering her face. Reaching up with her left hand to rub the back of her neck. "I was trying to get training for… something… and accidentally got assigned to them. Largely because I messed up… a little."

"Mhm…" Iromak made a rather unbelieving acknowledgement of her story. Tapping his foot lightly, knowing something was still off. "So, a big, but little mistake, and you're on the team that joins a Spectre?"

"It was more of a… misunderstanding. A Commando- A fully trained one should've been assigned."

"And? Just how much training have you gotten?"

Helyt remained silent, looking down and quietly fiddling with the bolt on her rifle as she tried to figure a way to appropriately word her next sentence. Before she found the right words though, Kaidan called Iromak over to the Mako.

Williams was standing in front of Pressly, the Navigator was still trapped inside his temporary isolation, he was able to speak with Ashley though. She had sought him out for some level of guidance as she felt rather without purpose up on the ship without her Commander to give helpful pointers.

"I had a message sent to the nearest comms buoy, so the upper brass will know soon. That doesn't change where we're at now though, we've got to try and do something."

Pressly was looking at the pad in his hand, relieved to have something to take his mind off the monotony of waiting out his sickness. "We can't do much but make sure the same doesn't happen to our people on the ground. Has the one in custody given any information on what may be happening here?"

Ashley shook her head, keeping her eyes on Pressly's motion on his pad. "Not yet, he's been rather insistent that he has no idea what's happening. He didn't seem to be expecting anyone when he was arrested either."

Pressly kept his lips pressed into a thin line for several seconds. Tapping his chin lightly as he looked over the work that had been done since his hiatus. "Have their personal belongings searched, cautiously. They may have left a surprise or two for anyone poking into their things." Williams gave a short salute before turning on her heel and walking towards the door to follow the instruction.

Williams and a soldier from the CIC went down the elevator to Cargo. Stepping out to find Cavius guarded by several humans, Wrex stomped around the Turian in a rather intimidating

manner. Muttering just loud enough so the Turian could hear all the bones that Wrex would break to get the information he wanted. Though the Turian was sticking rather heavily to his "I know nothing." story.

Williams and the soldier immediately went to the set of cots, a short gesture and the other grabed the two Turians duffel bags. Williams grabbed the other bag and slung it over her good shoulder, as she did, the Turian started to make quite a few vocal objections. Quickly being silenced by Wrex's heavy hand. Both the Alliance soldiers returned to the elevator with the things.

The three bags were set onto the table in the mess hall. Initially, she was going to handle it herself, the guard she had pulled along became a voice of caution for her. "I'll check the bags for traps before organizing them for you, Ma'am." Williams received a salute from the man, which she returned it near autonomously. Turning on her heel and returning to the CIC to continue her job.

John sat in silence, his eyes were closed but he was awake, listening for a door to open or footsteps to approach. Tali was leaned against him, her head resting on his right shoulder. Her rhythmic breathing and the occasional quiet murmur led him to believe she had managed to fall asleep. So he did his best to remain still, only occasionally moving his head or his free left hand as she was still holding onto his forearm. Many hours had passed since his awakening, and without knowing just how long he'd been out, it all started to blend into a quiet blur.

You're going to get her out of this.

Eventually, he pulled his eyes open, staring at the partially rusted bars that kept them held in. Turning his focus to the lock, it didn't look near rusted enough to break. Such occasions only happened once or twice before regular checks were made. Electronic locks were easier to break and extremely expensive, so he guessed those would be on the doors. Turning his head to look about the room. He could see he wasn't in any position to try and bust out even if he could, knowing better than to even try before he got out of the room. Each door would certainly be locked, and if he broke out here it'd only be finding himself into another predicament.

With the realization he was truly unable to do anything at the current moment, he returned to the quiet solace of his mind. The only thing pulling him to the surface were Tali's occasional mumblings. Bringing forth a question he hadn't wondered before.

What does Tali dream of?

The question echoed in his mind now. Letting it sit in his mind to try and distract himself from that which was around them. Managing to lull his mind into a slight repose for some time. Only stirring slightly when he heard the door open on the far left side of the room.

Letting his eyelids barely slip open to peek out of the corner of his eye, seeing a helmetless Batarian walking into the hallway, wearing heavy, near all black armor. A set of thick metal cuffs clinking on his waist with every step, a single wide looped link keeping them connected. A second Batarian followed behind with a shotgun in hand, his lighter armor was nearly the same blue hue as the C-Sec guards. Threatening any who even looked in their direction with the barrel of the weapon. Further behind them, a third armored guard stood at the door, rifle in hand as he watched over the other two. Double checking that no one tried anything risky. His armor was a patchy mix of green and brown, as if he had given a half attempt to make some sort of camouflage before giving up halfway through.

As they got further down the line of thin cages, his gut told him this wasn't just a routine checkup. Reaching over to gently shake Tali's arm as the lead man came to a gradual stop in front of their cell. Tali let a soft murmur as she had awoken, jolting to attention as she heard a Batarian speaking up. Shepard could feel her grip tightening on his arm at the sudden realization.

The lead Batarian was handed a thin, shiny metal key by his support. Pulling his sidearm off his hip and pointing it at the Commander before starting to unlock the door. Once open, the Batarian made a simple movement with his pistol, gesturing for them to get out. John and Tali both got up, John starting forward. Just as Tali went to follow, the arm of the Batarian cut between them. Making it crystal clear she wasn't going anywhere, Tali stepping back at the realization she was being eyed like a piece of meat by the Batarian. The Batarian only gave her a toothy smile before closing the door, the quiet clicking signaling that she was locked in.

John had his palms forced onto the back of his head, the Batarian pulling the cuffs off his waist and clasping his wrists close together. John turned to give a short nod to Tali before being interrupted by the black armored Batarian forcefully shoving him along. The shotgun wielding one leading the way back out from where they had come. Tali watching in silence as John was pushed away, the door sliding closed as they exited bringing on a sudden realization that she was alone.

Sitting back down after a minute of feeling quite helpless to the situation. Pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them, watching the door, listening for any sound.

"Tali!"

The half whispered shout from across the way caught her attention. Finding Sean sitting upright now, he only gave her a short thumbs up. Tali, staring at the gesture, slowly brought her right hand up to mimic the action. With this, he nodded and spoke a few words that meant nothing to her. Reaching up to gesture to himself, before gesturing to Tali. The Quarian only gave him a blank stare to attempt and convey the lack of understanding. Though it seemed to matter little as the human continued talking in a quiet voice, leading Tali to think he was talking more with himself rather than to her.

John finally got a small peek beyond the room they were kept in, though the damp, dirty halls gave him little context for where they currently were. The pipes betrayed the true age of the place, most were chipping and flaking to the point of near uselessness. The Warden was certainly aware of the problem as a few pipes higher up along the wall had been replaced, the shinier counterparts standing out amidst the dust and rust.

To his left was a closed door, as well as the armored figure with the rifle. Another hall to the immediate left of that door, a sudden shove from behind and he was pushed to the right. Obliging with the forceful demand from the Batarian behind him. Keeping his palms placed firmly on the back of his head to make it clear he wasn't trying anything. He was led straight down the hall by the three Batarians that had come to get him. The one wielding a handgun in lead, watching Shepard with a piercing gaze. A foot or two behind the Commander was the one with the shotgun, keeping a cautious distance between himself and the Human. Further back was the rifleman, keeping his weapon trained on the N7.

John was taken to a door on the left of the hall they walked down, glancing further down the hall to see a similar door he'd been led from. Wondering if the room had the same use as the other for a moment. Once again, he was interrupted by a hard shove through the doorway that had been opened by the lead Batarian. Continuing to follow the Batarian through the door into another hall leading to the left and the right. Finding himself standing in a near perfect replica of the halls he'd just been in. Now being guided into the room on his right.

A single, bright light was on in this long, mostly dark and empty room. The light installed just above a pair of metal tables that had been bolted to the ground. An array of sharp, dull and electric tools laid across the first table. As well as a rather clean metal pan, several syringes laid across it with small glass bottles to accompany them. Two empty chairs at the other table, two sets of metal bracers welded haphazardly to the table. Shepards attention now came to a simple, dull hook hanging from the ceiling in front of the second table. Suddenly realizing why they used the single, thick, metal link to restrain him.

Williams was talking with Joker about what had happened, as he had noticed a sudden shift in demeanor on the CIC, but had yet to be informed on what happened. While on the bridge, the guard tasked with organizing the Turians things returned to report on what he found. The man came to a stop and saluted her before handing over a list of everything he found.

Three Turian handguns - One in each duffel One Turian automatic rifle - Vitus Stradus One credit chit (Unknown balance.) - Vitus Stradus One locked omni-tool (Untethered to ship.) - Vitus Stradus

One Turian semi-automatic rifle - Vitesia Calnion Three credit chits (Unknown balances.) - Vitesia Calnion One combination lock box (Unknown contents. Placed into reinforced container per safety guidelines.) - Vitesia Calnion

One Turian shotgun - Cavius Dexidus One credit chit (Unknown balance.) - Cavius Dexidus Three Fornax magazines - Cavius Dexidus

Several sets of Turian garments spread out amongst each duffel bag. Placed into storage.

Iromak was watching the Mako make a landing, the vehicle screeching to a halt back on top of its original parking spot. Kaidan, Wrex and three of the CIC guards climbing out of the vehicle. Kaidan pointed out an area to one of the guards before giving him a few orders. The two soldiers saluted each other before the three guards began to set up a temporary encampment. Wrex stomped over to Iromak with a rather sour looking demeanor, looking around before speaking up.

"We're going to get those bastards for this one. I haven't liked the look of those Turians since they arrived." Iromak nodded, opening his mouth to respond, only to find Wrex to interrupt him. "Hey… where's that Asari?"

Iromak looked around for a moment, double checking she wasn't around the stationary Mako now. She was nowhere to be seen though, Iromak turning his attention to the stairs now. Going down far enough so he could try and see part way down, though she was too far down the steps to see now.

"Dammit."

John was dangling from the hook connected to the ceiling. His legs were bound at the ankle by thick, plastic binding. His feet would be able to stand on the table if it weren't bolted to the ground several feet away. Looking up every so often to try and figure a way to get the link off of the hook. He was quite without option though, finding himself just as stuck as before, though moderately more uncomfortable. While stuck in this position, he turned his attention to the table of tools. Just as he realized that an omni tool sat upon the table, Vitus arrived.

The Turian walked in and gave the Human a rather indignant look as he went to the tool table. Vitus spoke up now, quietly, as if he was reasoning something to himself. Picking up a long, thin, black blade that had a slight inwards curve at the end, as well as the omni tool that had a headphone hanging from it.

Shepard blinked several times in realization of what was going on. The Turian reached up and put the headphone into the Commander's right ear. "Where did you send Vaay?"

He let the question hang in the air for a moment. Turning his attention to the Turians beady eyes in front of him now, only silently glaring at his captor. Noting the defiant look that he received from the human, he reached up and dug the tip of the blade into the left side of John's face. Making sure the tip was dug beneath his skin, blood began to seep from the cut and down his cheek.

"What are the reapers? What's that suit rat doing with the Geth?"

What?

He hadn't even given the reapers much thought, figuring the title was little more than a label for Sarens ship. Large as a Dreadnought, and from the reports of Eden Prime, more than capable of landing planetside. Which was not an ability afforded to the larger ships of any currently recorded model due to their sheer size.

"Sarens ship? What is this about!? Are you working for that bastard?!" Shepard shouted at the Turian, letting his anger bubble up for a moment. Soon staring at the Turian as he awaited any response. Receiving it from the tip of the knife being dragged down his cheek. The sharp blade splitting his skin with ease, deep enough to let the blood flow.

John gritted his teeth as he tried to ignore the pain, finding it increasingly difficult as the blade was dug into his skin. The Turian stepped away, pulling the knife out of the deep gash in his cheek. Turning to the table of tools and returning the blade. His hand hovering over the many options at his disposal. Speaking up as he looked over each item indecisively. "I hate that bastard nearly as much as I hate you. The only reason you still breath, is the notable price I will get for you alive."

The Turian began returning to the hanging Commander. Holding a short rod that had a button on the grip. Two, small metal points on the end. The Turian pressed it against the Humans abdomen before holding down the button. A jolt of electricity running through his body for several seconds. Vitus speaking up as he let Shepard catch a breath.

"But as long as you don't talk, you will have to endure this."

Vaay's paced breaths were the only thing she could hear. Having just sped to the bottom of the shoddily carved stairs. Taking the short chance while Iromak had his back turned to dive into the leaves at the top of the stairs. They were supposed to stand by and wait for the Mako to drop and Kaidan to make a plan, but she found sitting still and doing nothing to be a difficult thing to accept. So now she was leaning against the wall, desperately trying to catch her breath. Having not stopped except once or twice when she had nearly slipped. Looking up to see the massive forest in front of her. Recalling where she saw the Turians abduct the two. When Vaay had gotten air back into her lungs, she pushed off the wall and started into the forest at a light trot. Slinging her rifle off her shoulder to hold it tight in her hands.